Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
Women's groups constitute an important segment of the labour force in Borno and Nigeria in general. As early as 1930s, women groups such as Aba Market Women, The Amazons, and Matan Arewa had engaged in various activities aimed at improving their lives and contributing towards national development. Government on its part has recognized this fact and involved women groups in various development programs such as Family Economic Advancement Program (FEAP), Better Life Programme for Rural Women (BLRW), and National Program for the Eradication of Poverty (NAPEP); establishment of a ministry for Women Affairs; a host of NGOs; and spends huge amounts annually towards the implementation of the programs. Despite these efforts, the desired objective of transforming the women population as a catalyst for national development is not realized. A survey of 120 women groups in Borno State was carried out and the analysis revealed that while Women groups seek and use information in their activities and have in-built information mechanisms, lack of a formal information delivery system that will act as a provider as well as a feedback channel between the Government and Women groups is lacking. In order for any development program to succeed in the future, it must incorporate an information delivery system. In this case, The Borno State Library Board with its several public libraries spread across the State coupled with trained manpower and mobile services should be actively involved in the design and implementation of development programs.